Treatment for Acne Scars

Dr Mark Taylor at the Gateway Aesthetic Institute and Laser Center shares his answers to some of the common questions about how the treatment can erase acne scars.

What causes acne scars?

Acne scars are caused by a mixture of oil and bacteria that create severe inflammation within the pores of the skin on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and back. Acne is often inherited and some families are more prone to have severe acne that causes scarring. There are many other factors that also contribute to severe acne including diet, activity, hormones, and more.

How can I prevent acne scarring?
Expert treatment from a dermatologist can often stop the inflammatory process that results in acne scarring. Treatment with topical and oral medications, lasers, light treatments, acne surgery, facial brushing, microdermabrasion and extractions can often stop the inflammatory acne response and prevent scarring. Sometime, however, even the best of care cannot prevent the acne scars.

What treatments are available for acne scarring?
Some of the common treatments used in the past include surgery (excision of scars), dermabrasion (sanding), laser resurfacing, injectable filling substances, chemical peels, radiofrequency treatments and topical skin products. Many of these treatments can offer some improvement in select patients, but sometimes significant scarring remains as a source of distress and unhappiness for many individuals.

Are there any new treatments available?

Within the past two years, amazing new treatments have become available for the treatment of acne scars. One new treatment in particular that offers amazing improvement for patients with severe acne scars, is a combination treatment developed at the Gateway Aesthetic Institute. It’s a procedure that combines tumescent anesthesia, extensive subcision, chemical peeling, laser resurfacing and Fraxel Repair laser treatment. With this new combined treatment method, we have been achieving greater improvement (often 80+ percent improvement in a single treatment). The technique was developed by Dr. Mark Taylor over a year ago and in January, 2010, he was featured as a guest speaker in the scientific session at the International Masters Course on Aging Skin in Paris, France, where he presented this new technique to medical colleagues.

How and where is the treatment performed?

The treatments are performed at the Gateway Aesthetic Institute in Salt Lake City. The entire procedure takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Patients are given oral medications, numbing cream and complete tumescent anesthesia to insure that they are comfortable.

Who performs the treatment?

Either Dr. Taylor, a board certified dermatologist, or Dr. Heidi Regenass, a board certified plastic surgeon, can perform the treatment, assisted by a team of skilled skin specialists.

How long is the recovery?

Most patients require 7 to 14 days before returning to work or to sensitive social situations. The recovery is not painful and is easily managed at home. Special healing ointments developed by the Gateway Aesthetic Institute and special light treatments to promote healing are used to hasten the recovery. Periodic office visits with the doctors at the clinic are also conducted throughout recovery.

What else can be done to improve the scars?

Patients are encouraged to return to the clinic one month after treatment. Any residual scars can often be filled with Perlane or Juvederm. Additional low-intensive laser and radiofrequency treatments may also be used to improve the appearance of normal skin in and around the affected areas.

Call Gateway Aesthetic Institute & Laser Center at 801-595-1600 to schedule a consultation. (If you mention you heard about this treatment on KSL, there will be no charge for your consultation.)